Transverse axis aileron



.I. P- TARBOX.

TRANSVERSE AXIS AILERON.

nrrucmou FILED-JUNE 20, I918.

[Patented July 18,1922.

PATENT JOHN P. TAB/BOX, OF GARDEN CITY. NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TARBOX AIRCRAFT COMBEANY. it CORTPORATION OF DELAWARE.

trnaivsvnnsn AXIS AILERON.

raaaiee.

Application filed June 20,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known thatIJJoHN P.. Tannox, a citizen of the United States, residing. at Garden City, in the county of Nassau and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trans verse Axis Ailerons, of? which the following is a specification.

Theaileron of this invention is of the transverse axis type. As disclosed it is ex tended laterally from the lateral extremity of the aeroplane wing. It may or may not be of the same aerofoil section. As disclosed-it is of the same section. In one case I disclose a pair of ailerons and in the other case a single aileron, in each case as applied.

With this in view, the aileron is mounted on I atransverse axis lylng in advance of the foremost point of normal travel of the center of pressure of the aerofoil section employed. The axis is fixed and forms a part of the rigid framework to the body of the aeroplane, the aileron enclosing it and yet being pivotly mounted thereon. The whole organlzation is such. that'a maximum efliciency and effectiveness of the a leron is secured co-incidently with the maximunr strength of structure and minimum resistthrough interior bearings 19 within its body ance.

Of the drawings: Fig. 1 shows the single aileron construc-' tion;

Fig.

Fig. p

The biplane wings designated 10 in each case are in the instance of Fig. 1 not coextensive, the upper wing being terminated short of the lower wing. The aileron 11 not only fills out the length for the upper wing but extends beyond the lower wing to pro- 2 shows double aileron construction; 3 is a detail of the outboard axis sup- Specification of Letterslatent. Patented July 18, 1%}22.

1913. Serial No; 240,981.

duce what is commonly known as an overhang by its overhanging tip 12. At the terminus of the upper wing, the biplane wings are spaced apart by the usual interwing struts 13. The aileron axis 141 is connected at its inner end 15 to the interior struc ture of the upper wing and extends in the case illustrated from a point within its trans verse section laterally parallel to the lower wing. The axis 14- may not in all cases be parallel since at times the lower wing has a marked angle to the upper wing. Still further the axis itself may be inclined with respect to the upper wing. The end 15 is preferably connected to strong compression ribs (of the usual form and not shown). or equivalent members between the wing beams and therefore between the interwingstruts 13, yet in advance of the foremost point of normal forward travel of the center of pros 1 sure. The outer end of the axis 14 is sup-- ported fixedly at the upper end by a pair of converging struts 16 founded at their lower ends on the front and rear wing beams of the lowerwing. A detail ofthis connection is shown in Fig. As shown, a split clamp 17 connects struts 1.6 with axis 14. Diagonally extending lift and load wires of the usual form (designated 18) connect the clamp 17respectively with the lower ends of struts 13 while similar wires connect respective lower ends of the struts 16 with the corresponding upper ends of the struts 13.

The whole constitutes a rigid framework and the members 13 and 1 1 a pyramidal structure with its base founded on the wings. The aileron 11 is supported upon axis 14 and preferably of the ball or frictionless type, there being along axis 14. as many of these hearings asis desired. Four of them are shown. The clamp 17 is located in an aperture 20 in the body. This aperture is shown as extending through the aileron but may be a mere recess opening on the under side only. The aileron is operable through cables 21 connecting with points in advance and to the rear of the axis 14 and in turn connected to cooperating ailerons or appropriate actuating devices. It will be ob served that there are no more exposed wires or struts in this construction than there are in any other biplane of similar wing arrangement and having the usual Pratt trussing. At the same time and incidentally an efiicacious mounting for the aileron is secured permitting great freedom and ease'of movement of the aileron surface and eliminating all liability of jamming. The wiring 18 may be omitted if desired, the pyramidal form of the strut-arrangement giving ample stiffness.

The process of assembly is as simple as can be desired. The axis 1% is put into place (the end 15 is fitted into provided socket or connected with certain interior metallic fittings in the wing) and bolted fast. The struts 16 areerected on the outer end of the lower wing and the wires 18 connected loosely in place. Then before the axis 1% is set in the clamp l7, thc aileron ll is slipped. onto the axis i l by simply pushing its bearings over the axis rod or shaft. Its inner end is spaced by a suitable clearance from the upper wing. Then the outer end of the axis is lowered into the clamp 17 and the clam bolted in )laceas indicated in lli whereupon the wires 18 may be ap nopriately tightened.

The double aileron construction of Fig. 2

is similar. Instead, however, of a dual strut j 16 there is a single branched outer strut 22 only, the opposite ends of which 23 and 24 are each connected rigidly with. an axis l -t,

in a manner similar to the upper end of strut 16. The wires 18 connect the upper and lower ends 23 and 24. respectively with the lower and upper ends of struts l3. By reason of the fact that strut 2.2 lies in a transverse plane passing intermediate struts 13 and the points of attachment of wires if thereto (or to the wings in the their viciui ity) there is provided. a triangulated or pyrainided structure which results again in an. absolutely rigid structure. The rigidity of the structure may be increased if desired by spreading the inner ends of the wires .lli still farther from the axes i l, carryingthem toward or to the leading andlu'ailing edges of the wings respectively, but this ii'ill iiot ordinarily be necessary. The ailerons are in thlscase operated by cables 25 connected respectively with the upper and lower ailerons and crossed to effect conjoint operation of the ailerons through compression strut 26.

Obviously the structural details of my invention may be varied to a considerable ex tent without departing from the generic spirit of my invention. In any such case I desire to have it understood that these constructions, as wellas those disclosed, are included within the purview of the appcnde il claims. Q i

lVhat is claimed is: 1. In an aeroplane upper and lower sup porting surfaces, an aileron in lateral exten sion of one of said. surfaces, and a support ing structure therefor comprising a vertical strut spaced laterally of the end of one of the supporting surfaces and extending between. the aileron and the surface vertically adjacent, laterally extending beams extending from the upper and lower ends of the main supporting surface to the upper and lower ends of the strut respectively, front and rear interwing struts associated with the main supporting surfaces, and cross wiring between the upper and lower ends of said latter struts and the lower and upper ends of the first-named strut.

2. In a biplane, an aileron in lateral extension of one of the wings, an aileron bearing member projecting laterally of one of sald wings, a vertically extending strut in terconnecting said member with a projection extending laterally from the wing surface vertically next adjacent, interwing struts for the main supporting surfaces, and cross wiring connecting the upper and lower ends of said latter struts respectively with the lower and upper ends of the said vertical strut.

3. In a biplane, ailerons in lateral exten-. sion of each of the wings thereof, fixed inter- Wing struts between the main supporting surfaces, aileron axis supporting members extending laterally from the main surfaces and rigidly connected therewith at points intermediate-the front and rear end struts, a vertical strut rigidly interconnecting the said axis supporting members, and cross wiring between the upper and lower ends of said. interwing struts and the lower and upper ends of said axis connecting strut respec tively.' i

I. In a biplane, interwing struts, an aileron in lateral extension of one of the wings,and a framework supporting said aileron oscilri latably and comprising a laterally extending frame member emanating from the end of one wing at a point intermediate the front and rear interwing struts, a vertical strut rigidly connecting an. outer portion of said frame member and a member connected to j the wing structure next vertically adjacent,

and cross wiring between the upper and lower ends of said interwing struts and the lower and upper ends of, said vertic al strut respectively j i 5. In a biplane, an aileron in lateral. ex tension of one of the wings,'anaileron bearing member. projecting laterally of oneof said wings, a vertically extending strut structure interconnecting said member with a projection extending laterally from the wing surface vertically next adjacent, interwing strutsfor the main supporting surfaces, and truss members connecting the upper ends of said interwing struts with the lower end of sald strut structure.

6. In a lolplane, an aileron in lateral extension of one of the wings, an'aileron bearfaces, a cross Wiring connecting the upper ing member projecting laterally of one of and lower ends of said interwing struts resalcl Wings, a vertically extending strut spectively With the lower and upper ends of 10 structure interconnecting said member with said vertical strut structure.

aprojection extending laterally from the In testimony whereof I hereunto my Wing surface vertically next adjacent, intersignature.

Wing struts for the main supperting sur- JOHN P. TARBOX. 

